DJI Mavic 3E Survey Drone Kit: Precision Mapping Redefined

Design and Build

Key Features and Functions

1. High-Precision Imaging System

• Wide-Angle Camera: A 4/3-inch CMOS sensor with 20MP effective pixels, a 24mm equivalent focal length, and a 3.3μm pixel size. The mechanical shutter (8-1/2000 s) prevents motion blur during high-speed flights up to 15 m/s, supporting 0.7-second interval shooting for rapid data capture. It offers an 84° field of view (FOV), adjustable aperture (f/2.8–f/11), and ISO 100-6400 for superior low-light performance via Intelligent Low-Light Mode.
• Telephoto Camera: A 1/2-inch CMOS sensor with 12MP, a 162mm equivalent focal length, and 56x hybrid zoom (7x optical, 8x digital). With an f/4.4 aperture and 15° FOV, it captures fine details from up to 200 meters, ideal for inspecting distant infrastructure like power lines or bridges.

2. Centimeter-Level RTK Positioning

3. Advanced Navigation and Safety

• Real-Time Terrain Follow: Adjusts altitude automatically over uneven terrain without external elevation data, ensuring consistent ground sampling distance (GSD).
• Advanced Return-to-Home (RTH): Calculates optimal return paths, avoiding obstacles and conserving battery.
• Smart Oblique Capture: Rotates the gimbal in three directions (front, middle, back) across two routes, capturing all angles needed for high-precision 3D modeling.

4. Comprehensive Software Suite

• DJI Pilot 2: Supports waypoint, mapping, oblique, and linear route planning, with real-time 2D orthomosaic previews and mission recording for repeatable flights.
• DJI FlightHub 2: Enables cloud-based fleet management, multi-drone coordination, and live-streaming for collaborative operations.
• DJI Terra: Processes data into 2D orthomosaics, 3D models, digital surface models (DSM), and point clouds, with a 3-month Electricity License included. It supports GCP-free mapping at 1:500 scale with 5 cm GSD.

• Mavic 3E drone with gimbal protector.
• RTK module and D-RTK 2 Mobile Station with tripod and case.
• Three Intelligent Flight Batteries and 100W charging hub.
• RC Pro Enterprise controller, 64GB microSD card, and three pairs of propellers.
• USB-C cables, 100W power adapter, and screwdriver.
• DJI Care Enterprise Basic (1-year) for repair/replacement coverage.
• Optional accessories like the Loudspeaker (for broadcasting messages) and Emlid Reach RS2+ Base Station are compatible for enhanced functionality.

Applications and Uses

• Land Surveying and Mapping: The 20MP wide camera and RTK module generate 2D orthomosaics and 3D models with 1 cm accuracy, covering up to 2.25 km² per flight at 5 cm GSD. It supports cadastral surveys, topographic mapping, and land-use monitoring, reducing fieldwork by up to 10x compared to traditional methods.

• Construction Monitoring: Provides regular updates on site progress, capturing high-resolution imagery for stockpile volume calculations and 3D site models. Its 56x zoom inspects structures from safe distances, minimizing risks.

• Mining and Quarrying: Accurately measures stockpile volumes and monitors site conditions, with Real-Time Terrain Follow ensuring consistent data over uneven terrain.

• Environmental Monitoring: Maps natural resources and tracks land cover changes, with SDK support for third-party multispectral sensors for vegetation analysis.

• Infrastructure Inspection: The telephoto camera inspects power lines, bridges, and wind turbines, identifying defects like cracks or corrosion from up to 200 meters.

Effectiveness and Performance

• Efficiency: Covers 2.25 km² per flight at 5 cm GSD, up to 8x more efficient than the Phantom 4 RTK and 1.9x faster for orthophotos, reducing project timelines from days to hours. A single pilot can map 16 km² daily with battery swaps.

• Accuracy: Achieves 1 cm horizontal and 1.5 cm vertical accuracy with RTK, meeting 1:500 scale requirements without GCPs. Tests by Aerotas confirm comparable accuracy across RTK, VRS NTRIP, and PPK methods at moderate speeds.

• Portability: At 915 grams, it’s ideal for single-pilot operations, deploying in minutes without heavy equipment. Its foldable design enhances fieldwork flexibility.

• Reliability: APAS 5.0 and omnidirectional sensing ensure safe navigation in complex environments, while AES-256 encryption and Local Data Mode protect sensitive data for government or infrastructure projects.

• Cost-Effectiveness: Priced at approximately with the RTK module and D-RTK 2, it’s a budget-friendly entry-level surveying drone compared to the Matrice 350 RTK ($10,000+). It reduces labor costs by automating data collection and minimizing fieldwork.